
Operations Manager Trainee
Colorado Springs, COJob$68–83K/yrSeen todaySeen in employer's feed today
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Requirements
Credentials this posting asks for.
Job overview
The Operations Manager Trainee program prepares experienced leaders to become frontline Operations Managers through a structured five-month onboarding with hands-on exposure to WM operations, systems, and leadership. Trainees lead and develop employees, oversee route operations, and build skills in safety, performance, and service. Training takes place in Colorado Springs, with final placement potentially at a neighboring site; candidates must be willing to relocate within a certain geographic area.
Skills & qualifications
Skills
Qualifications
Benefits
Full job description
Salary Range: $68,000 - $83,000
This opportunity is designed for experienced leaders who are ready to bring their leadership skills to WM. As part of this opportunity, you will participate in a structured 5-month leadership onboarding program designed to provide hands-on exposure to WM's operations, systems, culture, and leadership approach before transitioning into an Operations Manager role. Throughout the program, you will gain direct experience leading employees, improving operational efficiency, supporting safety initiatives, and driving customer satisfaction while developing a strong understanding of the WM Way and our day-to-day operations.
Following the 5-month onboarding, you will transition into an Operations Manager role. As an OM, you will lead and develop frontline employees while overseeing daily route operations and driving safety, performance, and service excellence.
If you're an experienced leader looking to take your operational leadership experience to build a long-term career with WM, this opportunity is designed for you!
Training Location & Placement: The 5-month onboarding will take place in Colorado Springs, CO. While we aim to place candidates into an Operations Manager role at their onboarding location, placement at that specific site is not guaranteed. Final placement is based on business needs, and candidates may be placed at a neighboring site within a reasonable commuting distance of the training location upon completion of the program.
What is the value of a WM Job? At WM we know that the value of a WM job is more than a paycheck. It's a way to create opportunities for you and your family. This is why we are constantly working to make WM a great place to work and grow a career.
We Are Always Working For A Sustainable Tomorrow®: Our mission is to leave the world a better place than we found it by helping its inhabitants find purpose in becoming its caretakers.
We Are People First: The members of the WM family are the foundation for our success. We foster an environment where all teammates feel welcomed, valued and seen.
We Are Committed to Your Growth : Your Tomorrow Education Assistance Program, paid on-the-job training, and established career progression.
We Are Stable: From the front line to the corporate offices, our team members perform essential and meaningful work.
We Are a Family: At WM we are over 60,000 people - from many places and many backgrounds, and it is our amazing differences that make us stronger.
We Are Investing in You: Amazing Medical, Dental & Vision, 401K with match, discounted stock options, dependent day care, and more!
Ready to roll with us? Click Apply to join the WM team today.
I. Job Summary
The Operations Manager Trainee (OMT) training program is intended to prepare individuals to become front-line Operations Managers. The majority of the day is spent in the field, interacting with front-line employees. Through our hands-on training program, we will teach you how to increase financial profitability, maximize operational efficiency, improve customer satisfaction, and lead teams of people. Candidates must be willing to relocate within a certain geographic area at the end of the training program.
II. Essential Duties and Responsibilities
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DEVELOPING
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Provide timely and consistent touchpoints with frontline employees
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Regular review of best practices to enhance daily performance
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Partners with Drivers and Technicians to develop job-related skills
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Completes the assigned OMT training curriculum and all other assigned training
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COACHING
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Actively practice and seek feedback on coaching conversations
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Collaborates with all frontline managers to learn the day-to-day business operations (i.e., Operations Improvement Manager, Fleet Manager, Sales Manager, District Managers, Operations Managers)
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OTHER
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Develop knowledge of DOT & OSHA safety programs and systems; operational business processes, systems & tools; performance management; dispatch & routing; fleet maintenance processes
III. Qualifications
A. Required Qualifications
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Bachelor's Degree (accredited) or in lieu of a degree,
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High School Diploma or GED (accredited) and two (2) years of relevant work experience.
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2 years of relevant work experience (in addition to education requirements) and
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Must be at least 18 years of age and
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Legally eligible to work in the country where the position is located
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Valid Driver's License Upon Hire and
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Must maintain a valid driver’s license and clean driving record throughout the duration of employment in this position Upon Hire
B. Preferred Qualifications
IV. Physical Requirements
Listed below are key points regarding physical demands, physical and occupational risks, and the work environment of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
Combination: This job operates in a mix between an office environment and plant/field environment and routinely requires the use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copy machines, etc.
Pay: The expected base pay range for this position is $68,000 - $83,000. This range represents a good faith estimate for this position. The specific salary offered to a successful candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including the candidate’s relevant experience, education, training, certifications, qualifications, and work location.
V. Benefits
At WM, each eligible employee receives a competitive total compensation package that includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short-term disability. In addition, we offer a stock purchase plan, company matching on a 401(k), and more. Employees also receive paid vacation, holidays, and personal days. Please note that benefits may vary by site.
If this sounds like the opportunity that you have been looking for, please click Apply.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran
How this job compares
Set against the 3,783 open Operations Management jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 13, 2026.
- Pay
- This posting$68–83K/yr
- Colorado median$108–147K/yr90 salary ranges
- US median$101–146K/yr2,250 salary ranges
This range's midpoint, $76K, is 42% below the Colorado median midpoint ($130K) — in the lowest quarter of Operations Management salary ranges in Colorado.
- Openings
- Olive Jobs lists 109 open Operations Management jobs in Colorado and 3,783 across the US. 2% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
- Hiring the most in Colorado
- Oracle9 open
- Vail Resorts9 open
- Amazon7 open
- Experience
- This posting asks for at least 2 years of experience — less than three in four Operations Management postings that state a minimum ask for (median 5 years, across 2,868 postings).
- Education
- 806 of the 3,783 open Operations Management jobs (21%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.
Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 13, 2026. Figures based on too few postings are left out.
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